Congress May Overturn D.C. Marijuana Decriminalization, Norton Warns

The District’s effort to decriminalize marijuana may be facing its first challenge from Congress.

In May, a House Oversight and Government Reform panel will convene for a hearing focused on the local legislation, according to Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C. In a statement, she called it “inappropriate” to hold a hearing on the local marijuana laws of only one jurisdiction “when 18 states have decriminalized marijuana, 21 states have legalized medical marijuana and two states have legalized marijuana.”

Congress should instead be examining how the Justice Department will enforce the federal prohibition on marijuana in those jurisdictions, she suggested, or examining whether the federal marijuana prohibition preempts such local laws.

An Oversight Committee spokesperson indicated in a statement to CQ Roll Call that the hearing aligns with its ongoing attempt to examine the tension between federal laws against marijuana use and distribution with local laws in places like Colorado.

“Though there are many parallels to the situation in states like Colorado, the District of Columbia utilizes the Federal Court systems for prosecuting many offenses and an array of law enforcement agencies maintain a significant presence due to the foot print of the Federal government in our nation’s capital,” said committee spokesperson Becca Glover Watkins in an email.

“How will these agencies enforce the law?” she continued. “The Committee continues to examine these unique factors as part of its broader examination of tension between federal and local marijuana laws in many jurisdictions.”

Norton plans to testify on behalf of the District’s decriminalization bill, which she calls a victory for racial justice, citing the city’s disproportionate marijuana arrest rate among African American men and boys.

In a departure from standard committee procedure, she will also join members of the subcommittee in questioning the witnesses.

More details on timing and witnesses were not yet available. Members of Congress have thus far been coy on whether or not they plan to try to overturn the local law.

Like all D.C. Council legislation that impacts the criminal code, after being signed by Mayor Vincent Gray the bill is subject to a 60-day review period by Congress.

It would drop the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana from a criminal offense, which carries up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, down to a civil offense with a fine of $25. It’s the smallest monetary fine of any of the states that have decriminalized the drug, outside of Alaska. It would also reduce the maximum penalty for smoking marijuana from a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, down to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Production, sale, and possession of over an ounce would remain a criminal offense.

Norton will formally announce her plans to testify on Tuesday evening, during a Drug Policy Alliance reception celebrating the passage of the marijuana decriminalization legislation.

She doesn’t need to do anything. Obama will be tarred and feathered if he signs it. Without a signature, it’s DOA.

Stephen Barlow

If she were allowed to vote on the voice of the Federal Citizen of the District, she would VOTE!

angilas04

you mean fighting for dc statehood and against laws which unfairly target blacks at a rate of 8 times that of whites is not a real job? If not, what, pray tell, do you do?

Jack Everett

I’m sure congress has lots of time to waste on this nonsense but no time to do anything for the millions of unemployed workers. Nothing like keeping away from all the issues that matter.

http://churchofsmoke.org/ Jose

After they waste time, Obama won’t overturn the law with his signature. If he did he would have a lot of very angry Americans.

Stephen Barlow

Let the SMALLER, CHEAPER Government geniuses explain WHY they NEED to spend MORE tax payer dollars JAILING more taxpayers when 60% of TAXPAYERS wanna smoke pot AND drink beer.

http://churchofsmoke.org/ Jose

Because the GOP are really for bigger government and less individual responsibility not to mention enemies when it comes to pursuit of happiness.

Stephen Barlow

Animal Farm by George Orwell comes to life in a RED State near you.

darthgidget

I guess she forgot that part of the Constitution that says DC is a federal city- the only one- which places all of its laws under the jurisdiction of Congress. Those other cities belong to the states .

http://churchofsmoke.org/ Jose

And the Republicans forgot that they are going to need Obama’s signature. Ha ha!

http://rpmlmedicinelodge.org/ John “Bear” Radell

It is so wrong. This plant is harmless and saves lives. I am living proof, they can go pee up a rope. Regardless of the law I will grow it, eat it, smoke it for the remainder of my life. I will never again allow Pharma into my body. They can have the plant when they pull it from my dead vet hands. Until then, back off.

Traid Domon

Whoever it was on here that recommended the website Traders Superstore I want to say thanks. You are right they have been very helpful to me in learning to trade. I now have hope that I can quit my job and trade full-time. Trading is not as hard as I thought it was but it helps to learn from the right place.

http://churchofsmoke.org/ Jose

Let’s hope we will be at war with Russia and the hearing is cancelled. If the law is overturned, then DC will move for statehood and tell the Feds to take a hike like many other states have done.

Immortal Illumined

the greatest plant in the universe is almost free, LET FREEDOM RING! 13

“any doctor against marijuana is a doctor of death” – cali secret 420

from 0 states to half the country, from low 20% approval to almost 70%, cali runs this planet by 2 decades, time to tie marijuana to the 2014, 2016 elections, out with the old, in with the new

20 years behind us southern states, sad and scary….nobody denies freedoms like the south, nobody…the top ten incarcerators on the planet are southern states…even if marijuana reforms did pass the republiCANTS in charge would deny you all your freedoms, centuries of practice…no matter though, we never planned on getting your backwards brethren from day one, half the country already but not one southern state, lol…not 1….the new generations are taking over in the south and they are nothing like their freedom denying parents, let’s ride…

Deaths by Alcohol and Tobacco: Millions
Deaths by Prescription Drugs: Quadrupled in last decade
Deaths by Guns: Millions
Deaths by the food we are fed: Millions
Deaths by Marijuana: 0, ever…they are killing my American family while denying freedom

love and freedom forever

AMERICA’S WAR ON DRUGS IS A WAR ON AMERICANS! 33

http://churchofsmoke.org/ Jose

Congress should convene to remove marijuana from Schedule I. It is utterly fraudulent to say it has no medical use.

Congress may overturn it but Obama would have to sign it. If Obama did sign it, he would become the scourge of the nation for well over half of all Americans.

Evergreen Fields

While our mind’s advance is part and parcel of the advance of our civilization, it is civilization’s condition at any point in time that largely determines the range of our choices and actions.

Bozeman

Not to be mistaken with a rigid laissez-faire approach, the liberty school insists upon working to unleash the proven forces of competition.

G26

Where we are subjugated by central planners, we are restricted to those actions that offer predictable results to those doing the planning.

http://churchofsmoke.org/ Jose

We can be very thankful that Romney isn’t president because we know he would sign it to have decriminalization overturned.

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About Hill Blotter

Campus Reporter Bridget Bowman (@bridgetbhc) keeps her eye what's happening on and around the Hill. She covers local elections, the Capitol Hill community, House and Senate administration, legislative agencies and congressional oversight over the District of Columbia.

Leadership Reporter Hannah Hess (@ha_nah_nah) covers law enforcement and ethics investigations, acting as a watchdog of both chambers of Congress. Her beat includes Capitol Police and the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms.